Environmental Biogeochemistry Project

Course description

Biogeochemical cycles of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and other elements are fundamental for life on Earth. Through human activities, these biogeochemical cycles have been altered, resulting in environmental challenges such as global warming and eutrophication.

Fundamental understanding of the biogeochemical cycles and how they are coupled, is vital in order to understand, address and predict the consequences of human perturbations. In this course, students who have taken Environmental Biogeochemistry (MI8017) will get a chance to further deepen their understanding within one or more of the following topics in an individual project:

Interaction between biogeochemical cycles of several elements, and their seasonal and regional variation.

Key anthropogenic perturbations and their interactions with regional biogeochemical cycles

Effects of natural processes and perturbations on the fate and bioavailability of pollutants

Role of biogeochemistry in environmental management concepts and tools, e.g. ecosystem services and the EU Water Framework Directive.

The course focuses on the individual project work. Lectures and seminars will also be given where, for example, oral and written presentation techniques are discussed. In the end of the course, the students will present her/his project both orally and written and also critically evaluate and give constructive feedback to peers. Each project will be supervised by a researcher that is knowledgeable in the topic.

Elective course in the Environmental Science Master’s program focusing on atmosphere, biogeosphere and climate, but may also be taken as a separate course.

Course given in English unless all students speak Swedish.

Special eligibility requirements

Environmental Biogeochemistry (MI8017) or equivalent, good command of English.